Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword podcast

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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A tartalmat a MP biztosítja. Az összes podcast-tartalmat, beleértve az epizódokat, grafikákat és podcast-leírásokat, közvetlenül a MP vagy a podcast platform partnere tölti fel és biztosítja. Ha úgy gondolja, hogy valaki az Ön engedélye nélkül használja fel a szerzői joggal védett művét, kövesse az itt leírt folyamatot https://hu.player.fm/legal.

The Final Flight of Captain Forrester

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The Final Flight of Captain Forrester | 1. The Mystery of Tiny 05 38:05

4 napja38:05

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38:05

In late 1972, U.S. Marine Captain Ron Forrester disappeared on a bombing run into North Vietnam. Back home in Texas, his family could only wait and hope. Audio subscribers to Texas Monthly can get early access to episodes of the series, plus exclusive interviews and audio. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio to join. Go to HelloFresh.com/FLIGHT10FM to get 10 Free Meals with a Free Item For Life.…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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A short, fun and occasionally not unintentionally educational podcast in which two fans of the New York Times crossword describe their puzzle-solving travails.

1691 epizódok

#Lifestyle #Hobbies #Word Play #Fun #Podcasting Education #Comedy #Crossword

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

11 subscribers

updated körülbelül egy napja

Megosztás

Sorozat kép•Feed

A short, fun and occasionally not unintentionally educational podcast in which two fans of the New York Times crossword describe their puzzle-solving travails.

1691 epizódok

#Lifestyle #Hobbies #Word Play #Fun #Podcasting Education #Comedy #Crossword

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Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 🎶 AVEENO, I just met a hair style product named ... AVEEEEEEENO 🎵 16:06

1 day16:06

16:06

If the theme of today's crossword leaves your head spinning, there is a perfectly natural and non-medically-related explanation. We'd like to tell you what that is here, but true to our motto of "as few spoilers as possible, whenever we remember", we will defer that discussion for the moment. Instead, we will celebrate a few other clues of note, such as 56D, Source of Andrew Carnegie's wealth, STEEL; 38D, Language that gave us "Saskatchewan", CREE; and a clue guaranteed to make you go "awww", 8D, Some comforters for toddlers, BLANKIES. Show note imagery: Ebla, the oldest library in the world (founded in 2500BC, so hopefully you don't have any outstanding book loans, the fines would be horrendous!) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 - Don't DAWDLE, check out today's episode posthaste! 13:01

2 napja13:01

13:01

This was a crisply clued Wednesday crossword, with lots of novel takes and perplexing posers in the puzzle. Right away we have, at 1D, Blade sheathed in a saya, KATANA. We have a debut at 30A, Alternative to a blur or pixelation, CENSORBAR. And even 52D, "Hey, I've got a secret to tell you", PSST, felt fresh. A very nice bit of work by Adam Vincent, we eagerly await his next oeuvre. Show note imagery: A Sheltie, aka a Shetland Sheep Dog We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Tuesday, April 29, 2025 - There was a little extra OOMPH in today's crossword, literally! 15:29

3 napja15:29

15:29

Today's crossword was a debut for Gene Louise De Vera, so a few lusty "huzzahs" would not be out of place. The grid had some interesting features: we liked the the juxtaposition of 39D, Children's author Asquith, ROS, and 40D, "Hel-l-lp!", SOS. We were pleased to see the presence of 19A, "The Gift of the Magi" writer, OHENRY, and had hoped to also see OHHENRY, the chocolate bar, but we'll settle for a small glass of 48D, Dessert drink made with frozen grapes, ICEWINE. All in all, a fine crossword, and we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Besides the crossword, we also have a spot of delightful listener mail, so check it out! Show note imagery: MARA Rooney, in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Monday, April 28, 2025 - Grab your (key)board, it's time to EGOSURF 😀 9:03

4 napja9:03

9:03

This was a gentle Monday crossword . Jean moved through it almost as fast as a MAKO (up to 46 mph, according to 29D). Mike took a tad longer, but was still able to MAKO good time 🙄. We have all the deets inside, so have a listen, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss another episode. Show note imagery: A few bars from EINE Kleine Nachtmusik, by Mozart We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Sunday, April 27, 2025 - Look out, here comes BRIDEZILLA 😀 16:52

5 napja16:52

16:52

In crossword circles, a debut answer is one that has never appeared in the grid before -- and they tend to bet quite interesting. Today , for instance, we had 33A, Food-centric broadcasts originating in South Korea, MUKBANGS (sounds intriguing); 65D, Periods of abstinence from TV, news, social platforms, etc., MEDIAFASTS (sounds like a focused Dandelion Break); and 111A, Some large structures for pet owners, CATCONDOS. All great answers, cleverly clued, and part of an even greater crossword: we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Show note imagery: The PENTAX 17, a film camera!! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Saturday, April 26, 2025 - Happy Canadian Election Day Eve Eve!!🙄 8:13

6 napja8:13

8:13

Today's crossword was a "relatively" straightforward Saturday crossword. Saturdays are always tough, and this was by no means a walk in the park, but neither was it a rope-free climb of El Capitan . There were a few surprising clues in the grid -- most notably 27A, "That's so relatable," in modern slang, MOOD -- a very modern clue for an ancient answer, which made its first appearance on New Year's Eve, 1944 . And right next to that we had the very witty 29A, Aquarius is one, perhaps surprisingly, AIRSIGN (nice!). And one that was a novelty (to Mike, at any rate: Jean, no doubt, is on their mailing list), 26A, ___ Dunn (brand of ceramic art and other housewares), RAE. We have more fascinating facts inside, so have a listen, and, as usual, please let us know what you think! Show note imagery: Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap", now in it's 73rd-ish year!! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Friday,April 25, 2025 - Nothing BLAND in today's grid (except, inevitably, BLAND 😉) 10:47

7 napja10:47

10:47

This was a nice Friday crossword by Adrian Johnson, a bit of a palette cleanser after yesterday's definitely crunchier-than-usual epic. We found some great clues in the puzzle, such as 34A, Passage in a mystery novel?, HIDDENSTAIRCASE (😀); 12D, Light touch from a decorator?, ACCENTLAMP (brilliant, especially when it's turned on 😎); and the very best of the best, 23D, Styles of music, HARRY (😀 😀). Show note imagery: Bahla Fort, OMAN, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, April 24, 2025 - Whew, this was a real brow-furler of a crossword! 15:04

8 napja15:04

15:04

This was a debut crossword by Kathleen Duncan -- congrats!! -- and it was a doozy . Jean managed to get through it in fairly good time, but Mike ran into the proverbial lexicographic abyss in the southwest corner, and managed to escape just in the NICK of time. To hear more about his harrowing escape, and Jean's easy sashay through the very same puzzle, have a listen to today's podcast, and, as always, please tell others about us on social media. Show note imagery: A SHEAF of paper, not to be confused with a SHEATH of ... paper We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 - Time for DINDIN 😀 🧑🏽‍🍼 12:10

9 napja12:10

12:10

One of the most enjoyable moments in NYTimes-crossword-solving, is when one is completely floored by an answer, only to discover, with a bit of research, that it is apparently the 5th most popular word of the year, and that you are the only person in a 10 mile radius who has not heard of it. We had such an experience in today's puzzle -- a fine effort by Brandon Koppy -- and we leave it to you, the listener, to determine which answer we are referring to. [Hint: it won't take you long to do so 😀] Show note imagery: The original IMACs We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - Here ye, here ye, announcing our Triplet Tuesday Contest winner! 19:21

10 napja19:21

19:21

We had a fine Tuesday crossword by a frequent contributor to the NYTimes, Alex Eaton-Salners. There are many perfectly good reasons why AE-S has had 73 puzzles published in the pantheon of crosswords, and they are all on display in today's work. So check it out, and, as always, let us know what you think. In other news, we have our latest Triplet Tuesday Contest winner, and very soon that winner will have ownership of a lovely bit of northeast Wisconsin swag, and a lovely t-shirt to boot. For those of you who entered but did not win, fear not! There will always be ... another TTC. Show note imagery: Sao Tomé and Príncipe We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, April 21, 2025 - A crossword that's nothing to sneeze at! 10:12

11 napja10:12

10:12

This was Thomas van Geel's second NYTimes crossword, and it is an awesome example of an LOL theme. Have a listen, and you'll see what we mean. A reminder, this is your last day to enter last week's Triplet Tuesday Contest, and potentially win some magnificent swag. Just check out last Tuesday's episode, and then send your entry our way. Show note imagery: Mount DENALI We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, April 20, 2025 - ADVENTURE is out there (... and in the grid!) 20:44

12 napja20:44

20:44

Today's crossword was somewhat of a gently sloping foothill for Jean, and an Everest atop an Everest for Mike. The former made it through the crossword in a longer-than-usual-but-still-reasonable time frame, whereas for the latter it seemed that several civilizations rose, prospered, and fell, before he finally got the happy music. We've covered the theme in today's episode, but some of the (many) notable clues that did not make the cut include 103D, Support line?, ISECOND 😀; 71D, Blood line, VEIN (😀 😀); and 49A, Honcho, NABOB (also an excellent brand of coffee, sold primarily in Canada ☕️☕️☕️). Show note imagery: A delicious WHOOPIEPIE We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Friday, April 18, 2025 - BARBIECORE? That's nothing compared to ... wait for it ... crosswordcore™️!!!! 14:29

14 napja14:29

14:29

We are delighted to announce the purely coincidental arrival, on the same day that this fabulous crossword brought us BARBIECORE, of crosswordcore™ -- the rules of which are quite straightforward, and we are very pleased to be able to set forth, for the first time AFAWCT, right here: Rule 1: wear and/or decorate with any color you want, as long as it's black or white 😀 Rule 2: Other than rule 1, pretty much anything goes ... it is a rather laissez-faire core. The puzzle that inspired crosswordcore was a fine one - Jean breezed through it, Mike euphemistically took his time to contemplate and savor every clue and answer, so that he could truly appreciate the genius of this puzzle's constructors -- Greg Snitkin and Glenn Davis. Show note imagery: Either the map of a PLAYACTION, or possibly a physics diagram showing the interaction of subatomic particles (but we think the former). We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, April 17, 2025 - Let's see, there are FARRIERS and FURRIERS, but no FIRRIERS or FORRIERS ... that seems very UNFAIRIERS 🙄 17:36

15 napja17:36

17:36

Our cohosts took highly divergent paths towards victory on this crossword - Jean took the high road, and had a lovely time; Mike took the low road, and for his pains got repeatedly stuck in the mire. Still, there was a lot to ad mire in today's grid, and to find out what that was, check out today's episode. Show note imagery: The JETSONS! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - Three cheers for the Rubber Ducks of AKRON, OH! 🐥 12:23

16 napja12:23

12:23

This was a slightly crunchier than usual Wednesday *, for one very good reason. We're not going to tell you that reason just yet, but we cerealously believe you'll like it once you hear it 😀😉🙄. Besides the terrific theme, we had numerous intriguing and occasionally perplexing clues, such as 18A, Flying Cloud and Royale, for two, REOS; 60A, "Nelson's blood", RUM; and the fun to say 33D, For sure, for short, DEF. Show note imagery: Fred and Barney, making a splash *the crossword, not the day: the day was merely averagely-crunchy. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Tuesday, April 15, 2025 - It's a two-fer! An abfab crossword, and an abfab Triplet Tuesday Contest, huzzah!! 🎉 18:04

17 napja18:04

18:04

In today's episode, we have a two-fer. First, an awesome crossword , a debut by Per Bykodorov that is just brimming with microtome-sharp clues, and an LOL theme. But wait, there's more 😀 We have our latest Triplet Tuesday Contest, your chance to go (asynchronously) head-to-head against Jean to see who can grab the TTC ring. The rules are straightforward and brilliantly (ok, adequately ) explained, so have a listen, and then get your entry in by next Tuesday at 6 PM CDT (2300 Zulu time for those in other time zones), and good luck! Show note imagery: A LUNK alarm, often seen, but rarely heard, at Planet Fitness We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, April 14, 2025 - Happy Tax Day Eve! 🙄 10:49

18 napja10:49

10:49

This was a very nice Monday crossword, and an NYTimes debut for both of its authors, Stacy Cooper and Ken Cohen. There were, of course, a variety of clues, some fun -- 51A, Roller coaster exclamation, WHEE 😀; some enlightening -- 65A, Elite group whose members include Steve Martin and Geena Davis, MENSA; and some particularly timely -- 30D, Org. that reviews W-9s, IRS. Show note imagery: a MOSCOWMULE, served in the traditional copper mug. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Sunday, April 13, 2025 - John Kugelman is an INSPO to us all 😀 15:57

19 napja15:57

15:57

This was a sweet Sunday crossword , with an unusual theme, unusual grid size (!), but the usual great clues that we expect from a Sunday NYTimes crossword. We've covered the biggies in today's episode, but we'd also like to note the "little" people, er, answers, without which this grid would be comically empty. For example, 32D, Prefix with bel, DECI (ha!); 87D, Items being replaced, OLDONES (duh!); and our favorite, 95D, Snatches, comic-book style, YOINKS (rah!). Remember our Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming up faster than a speeding bullet, so tune in Tuesday and see if you can capture the crown. Show note imagery: Famed actor and comedian Buster Keaton, next to someone with pronounced RINGLETs. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, April 12, 2025 - Time for some COMICRELIEF, and, good news! It's in the grid, and in the episode. 14:33

20 napja14:33

14:33

This was a very nice (i.e., quite tricky) Saturday crossword . Fortunately (for Mike), there were not a lot of pop culture references, and fortunately (for Jean), she knows things™️. This marks the third NYTimes crossword penned by Jesse Cohn, and we eagerly await his fourth. Besides this crossword, we also have our JAMCOTWA - Jean and Mike Crossword Of The Week Award - so download and check out this episode, to see who's the big winner. Also, don't forget to subscribe / follow this podcast, so you never miss an exciting installment! Show note imagery: WONDERWOMAN, ready to wring the truth out of someone with her golden lasso! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Friday, April 11, 2025 - Think your LensCrafters bill is high? Be glad you're not a SEASCALLOP 😀 🕶️ 14:52

21 napja14:52

14:52

Today's crossword had OCEANS of great clues. To pick just three, we had 1A, Some pops, COCACOLAS (Mike's favorite beverage!); 12D, Fabulizes, SPINSAYARN (the answer was fine: the clue, divine ); and 34A, Vulgarian, BOOR (Vulgarian sounds Shakespearean, but, alas and alack, the bard never penned it). Show note imagery: A few of a SEASCALLOP's many eyes We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - Hmmm... a Saturday crossword seems to have strayed into Thursday territory 😱 16:15

22 napja16:15

16:15

Both cohosts found this to be an exceptionally tough Thursday crossword -- but they are not complaining, as many of the clues were home runs, and the theme was a grand slam. Somehow, Adam Wagner -- the author of today's oeuvre (ably abetted by Will Shortz) -- always manages to produce great works. Deets inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you think! A reminder, our Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming up this Tuesday. If you haven't already, start practicing up (re-memorizing the OED, limbering up those fingers, etc., etc.). Show note imagery: A photo that needs absolutely no narration 😀 https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=4/10/2025 We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 - OLEATO! 10:54

23 napja10:54

10:54

This was an exceptionally memorable Wednesday crossword . The theme was inspired, but the rest of the puzzle was just chockfull of equally brilliant entries. We have all the deets inside, so we earnestly invite you to download, listen up, and ... enjoy! Show note imagery: RIP, TAN M&Ms We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - ¡Ay, caramba!, it's the island of ARUBA 😀 19:01

24 napja19:01

19:01

Today's crossword was fun (absolutely!), fast (YMMV), and this episode has exactly the same characteristics! So have a listen, and remember, we're having our next Triplet Tuesday Contest next week, so listen to today's segment to get the format, start practicing, and start honing your acceptance speech (you know, just in case ...) Show note imagery: NACL (aka table salt) crystals, as seen in an electron microscope We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, April 7, 2025 - RIP, ASH Ketchum 12:24

25 napja12:24

12:24

One of the best parts of doing the NYTimes Crossword is the thrill of learning something new. For example, today our hosts learned that ASH Ketchum is no longer the star of the Pokémon anime series, and sorely missed (at least in some quarters ). We have all the deets inside, as well as numerous amusing Easter eggs, so have a listen, and as always, remember that we thrive on feedback . Show note imagery: ASH Ketchum, in the flesh, ..., er, ink? We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, April 6, 2025 - No need to spin it - this crossword was abfab! 22:03

26 napja22:03

22:03

Kareem Ayas has put together an ingenious Sunday crossword , with a lot of layers - wheels within wheels, you might say, and as soon as you see the grid you'll understand exactly why that would be so apropos. We cover a lot of territory today, so grab your favorite beverage, hit play, and prepare to a) sip, and b) enjoy! Show note links: NILE green and various RAKE types available at Amazon Show note video: An EHRU , a Chinese two-stringed fiddle We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Saturday, April 5, 2025 - The toughest crossword of the week lives up to its billing 15:44

27 napja15:44

15:44

Saturdays are supposed to be the toughest crosswords of the week, and Rafael Musa definitely got the memo: the amount of misdirection in today's puzzle would have David Copperfield nodding approvingly. We've covered most of Mr. Musa's masterpieces in today's episode, but a few others worthy of note are the fabulous 8D, Gag order?, TMI (hah!); 35A, Time to give up, LENT (magnifico!); and the cryptic 23A, Human Geography and Calculus BC, for short, APS (we didn't realize that Calculus was that old, but anyhoo...). In addition to the crossword, we also are pleased to announce our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so check out today's episode to find out who took home the flag. Show note imagery: A coin from 1023-28 depicting OLAF the Stout, aka Saint Olaf We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Friday, April 4, 2025 - It's officially long answer Friday 😉 15:41

28 napja15:41

15:41

There were a lot of long answers in this crossword , but fortunately they were also very common phrases. Otherwise, this would've been a Saturday or perhaps an Impossiday™️ crossword. As it stands, this puzzle was a terrific Friday, and the reason why is no mystery: Karen Steinberg wrote it and Will Shortz edited it. Show note imagery: JETHRO Tull (the band, not the agriculturalist We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - A galaxy of great clues 😉 14:36

29 napja14:36

14:36

Today's crossword was by Hanh Huynh. His Thursday crossword themes have always been brilliant, and we are pleased to announce that with today's puzzle his streak remains intact: may it live long and prosper! Show note imagery: BARQS Rootbeer We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - CIAO - the perfect word when you've forgotten if you're coming or going 😀 😀 12:09

4 weeks12:09

12:09

This was a highly pleasing mid-week crossword by Daniel Bodily. There were some NEAT clues (including 15A, "Sweet!", NEAT); clues with a lot of HEART (25A, Trick-taking card game, HEARTS); and clues that we got right away (51D, "Pronto!", STAT 😀). All told, a fine puzzle, and it is therefore with great pleasure that we award it a full 5 squares, on the JAMCR scale. Show note imagery: The Civilian Conservation Corp official (and very spiffy) logo We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - We're fools for today's crossword 🙄 16:58

4 weeks16:58

16:58

Today's crossword was the perfect April 1st crossword -- as a Tuesday, it was not too difficult, but it was very meta, and very relatable, making for a great solve. We have Sande Milton (supervised, of course, by Will Shortz) to thank for this, his third crossword for the NYTimes. Beyond the crossword, we have our heavily trademarked and patented Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, so have a listen, and let us know how you did! Show note imagery: A Commodore AMIGA, with a whopping 256K of RAM! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, March 31, 2025 - A grid that is obsessed with ZEST 11:38

5 weeks11:38

11:38

OK, perhaps "obsessed" is a little over the top, because technically ZEST itself only showed up once , as per custom; but the clues and answers were still quite snappy. Our particular favorite? 46D, Producers of six-packs, SITUPS (nice!). We were also delighted to see 15A, King of the gods, in Egyptian myth, AMON. And while AMON may not translate as "God of Aliases", since AMON is aka AMUN, AMUNRA, AMONRA and AMUNRE, we would not be surprised if it did. For the deets, and some interesting listener mail, have a listen, and feel free to leave us a five star review wherever you are listening to this podcast. Show note imagery: Kobe Bryant, shooting a FADEAWAY. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, March 30, 2025 - Happy April Fool's Day Eve Eve 🤣🎉 15:33

5 weeks15:33

15:33

Simeon Seigel tends to write crosswords just like this one - filled with clever and novel clues. We present, as exhibit A, ... 105A, Its southernmost point, Pamana Island, is more than 750 miles below the Equator, ASIA (amazing!) 106A, Group in "a pension fund", AEIOU (outstanding!) 40A, Returns a call, in a way, ECHOES (wow, wow, wo, wo, w, w, ...) In short, a fine crossword, we approve: 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Show note imagery: Dr. SEUSS (or, phonetically as he originally wanted it pronounced, SOYCE) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, March 29, 2025 - We're baaaaaack! 11:44

5 weeks11:44

11:44

We have returned after a brief, unplanned hiatus, and welcoming us back were Christina Iverson and Jacob McDermott, who have prepared a delightful, and notably not-soul-crushingly-difficult Saturday crossword for us to inspect, dissect and discuss. Deets inside, so have a listen, and, as always, please tell others about us on social media. Show note imagery: A TUXEDOCAT, prowling about in search of its cape and top hat. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 - So Long, and Thanks for All the Fishes 16:17

5 weeks16:17

16:17

We'd give this crossword an APLUS, for no other reason than that it gave us an APLUS, as in 54D, Highest grade. But lest we be accused of grade inflation, we would like to submit as evidence 29A, "Old Man ___ at Cloud" (bit from "The Simpsons" that became an internet meme), YELLS (Will must really like The Simpsons 😀); 35D, X-ray ___ (novelty goggles), SPEX (we really, really want a pair of these); 58D, Whopper server? LIAR (😀 😀) Show note imagery: A who's who of old time comedians at The FRIARSCLUB, a New York landmark since ... forever. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, March 24, 2025 - No ERRANT words in today's grid ... except for ERRANT 🙄 16:21

6 weeks16:21

16:21

This was a nice debut by Victor Schmitt, yet another "cute n' clever" theme that definitely lives up to its name. (We note parenthetically that "Cute n' Clever" would be an awesome name for a pet store for Mensa cats, and if one ever comes into being, we hope to add it as an advertiser immediately 😀). Apart from the clues mentioned in today's episode, we'd like to note 55A, Arctic abodes, IGLOOS (following yesterday's huts and yurts, Will seems to be promoting a native-abode-arc of some sort); 65A, Fruit from a palm, which sounds like a magic trick but is indeed DATE; and 7D, Like seaweed or raw octopus, SLIMY (which managed to elicit a simultaneous "yuck" and "kudos" from your cohosts). Show note imagery: IGOR (left, as played by Bela Lugosi); check out today's episode to hear the electrifying background story. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, March 23, 2025 - This crossword will DONICELY! 24:40

6 weeks24:40

24:40

Jean made short work of today's crossword , armed as she was with a PANOPLY of answers, whereas Mike, for whom PANOPLY was the only gimme in the grid, had to toil a wee bit longer -- and by a "wee bit", we really mean weeeeeeeeeeeee bit -- before he managed to get to the happy music. Show note imagery: TERRA Nova National Park, in Newfoundland, Canada We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, March 22, 2025 - In the grid, and in the nightmares of spelling bee-ers everywhere, PSILOCYBIN! 16:15

6 weeks16:15

16:15

This was an excellent Saturday crossword -- with clue difficulty mostly ranging from scarily difficult to "you must be joking, Ms. Hoody". These sorts of puzzles make for a deeply satisfying solve (if you can), and no loss of face (if you cannot). Also, any crossword that manages to quietly work ICEPALACE, ICET, and SAMOVAR into the same grid clearly deserves some sort of praise, and here it is: a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Bravo! Also in today's episode: our choice for JAMCOTWA, the Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award. To find out who won, and why, please subscribe/like/follow, download, and, of course, enjoy! Show note imagery: An example of a Duchamp readymade , art based on ordinary products (such as this bicycle wheel) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Friday, March 21, 2025 - A crossword that SPARKLES! 25:23

6 weeks25:23

25:23

This was a good, challenging, but ultimately doable -- provided you've had lots and lots of practice! -- Friday crossword . The clues were quite fresh, and apart from those mentioned on the podcast, we'd like to highlight 24D, Sports great who said "If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be", BERRA (😀); 40A, "Hot-diggity" or "Cool it", SLANG (of course!); and the fascinating 38D, Philippics, TIRADES (🧐). Be sure and check out the whole episode, because after the main event we have a great Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, covering everything you need to know about the AFLAC duck. Enjoy! Show note imagery: Actors about to do battle while wearing MOCAP suits. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, March 20, 2025 - Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! 20:43

6 weeks20:43

20:43

The title probably could do with a few more "wows", as today's crossword by Daniel Grinberg clearly deserves to be in the pantheon of crossword masterpieces. Indeed, both cohosts feel that they will never forget where they were at the moment that they solved this crossword (Jean, couch; Mike, chair). For deets on why we are tossing so many laurels in Daniel Grinberg's direction, have a listen to today's podcast, where all will become clear. Show note imagery: What makes a SUBARU a SUBARU? According to their marketing people, Love (and possibly one or two designers and engineers, the ad campaign does not go into details). We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 - A classic, CLASSA, NYTimes crossword 19:51

6 weeks19:51

19:51

This crossword was brilliant -- primarily because of the astronomical phenomenon that formed the heart of today's theme, visually dominated the grid, and was echoed in several other clues. For instance: 28D, Astrophysicist ___ deGrasse Tyson, NEIL; 17A, Thoroughly enjoyed oneself, HADABLAST; and one of Mike's favorite movies, 46D, 2019 sci-fi film whose name means "to the stars", ADASTRA. All in all, an illuminating crossword, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Show note imagery: A non-nautical schooner (second from the left) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 - 🎵 Tonight we're gonna party like it's twenty-twenty-five ♬ 😀 16:05

6 weeks16:05

16:05

It was with great satisfaction that we welcome back to the grid Alan ALDA, who has not made too many appearances as of late, always glad to see a great ... whatever Alan ALDA is ... back in the saddle, so to speak. We also were glad to see SNL make an appearance, although since they were just mentioned yesterday, their appearance today is not nearly as momentous. Speaking of momentum (we weren't, but humor us), Jean tore through today's Triplet Tuesday segment, check out the deets herein, and, as always, drop us a line, we love feedback! Show note imagery: Le Café de Nuit, Place Lamartine, Arles, by -- as if the brushstrokes didn't give it away -- Vincent Van Gogh We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, March 17, 2025 - Happy St. Patrick's Day! 12:56

7 weeks12:56

12:56

There was no green in today's grid, as far as we could see, but there must've been a gleam in the eye of the cruciverbalist, Kathy Lowden, as she put this fine puzzle together. There was a lot of pop culture in the crossword, but that's because ... nope, no spoilers! Check out today's episode to find out why. Show note imagery: DOJA Cat, most definitely not in the St. Patrick's Day spirit We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, March 15, 2025 - It was a DARKNSTORMY crossword 🙄 22:29

7 weeks22:29

22:29

Today's crossword was by Ryan McCarty, who specializes in spectacular Saturday crosswords like this one. The clues were challenging, and there was a lot of pop-culture -- Mike's bane, Jean's forté -- but fortunately there were enough non-pop-culture references so that Mike could prosper, and Jean didn't need 'em. In addition to the crossword, we have listener mail, including some from a former JAMCOTWA winner that involved a discussion of this week's JAMCOTWA winner: or as Robin would have it, holy-coincidences, Batman! Show notes imagery: BARRYKEOGHAN, movie / television star, seen here in Apple TV+'s Masters of the Air We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Friday, March 14, 2025 - A Perfect Friday Crossword ❤️ 24:05

7 weeks24:05

24:05

Brandon Koppy has a knack for writing magnificently deceptive clues, and his gifts are on full display in today's puzzle -- a tough but highly satisfying bit of work. We have all the deets inside, so check it out, as well as a fine Fun Fact Friday™️ segment. Show note imagery: SUGARRAY, creators of some awesome music! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, March 13, 2025 - ESSIE, the preferred nail polish for 9 out of 10 mythical Scottish loch monsters 🙄 19:48

7 weeks19:48

19:48

The consensus at JAMDTNYTC HQ is that this was a terrific Thursday crossword , and a limbering up, as it were, in preparation for the grueling Friday and Saturday crosswords yet to come. We were pleased to see OCCAM make an appearance in the grid, as well as a smattering of frqtly. sn. txt. msg. abbrs., including DMED, OTOH, IRL and IPAS (ok, we're not sure about that last one, but the rest most definitely are frequently seen text message abbreviations). Show note imagery: ATOMICDOG We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 - No, an ARTEMIS is not as good as an ARTEMILE 🙄 18:16

7 weeks18:16

18:16

It takes just an askance glance at today's grid to know that something's up. Perhaps it's the suspicious symmetry, or the fact that several runs of gray squares seem to have been cut in half. That's because they were cut in half, an essential part of today's cutting edge theme. Now, not that we want to contribute to FOMO, but if you're wondering why that last sentence was absolutely riotous, you'll want to download, listen to, and bask in, today's equally riotous (well, ok, drolly amusing, esp. the bit about the [REDACTED: NO SPOILERS HERE]) podcast Show note imagery: A Royal ORB We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 - An ERIE-ily good crossword! 21:20

7 weeks21:20

21:20

This was a debut crossword by Jared Cappel, and it was a fine one. The theme was sharp, and surrounded by a bevy of equally keen non-themed clues: the result was, as previously noted, fine. A few clues that didn't make into the podcast, but worthy of shoutouts, include: 62A, Compliment on the green, NICEPUTT (fore!); 6D, "I.e.," spelled out, IDEST (Mike's favorite phrase!); and 44A, Perplex, BEMUSE (Jean's favorite answer). In addition to the crosswords, we have a terrific Triplet Tuesday segment, and a fascinating theory as to why Blenheim PALACE (62A) doesn't get more visitors. Show note imagery: Blenheim PALACE, in all its royal glory We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, March 10, 2025 - A (LITTLE)LULU of a crossword! 13:37

8 weeks13:37

13:37

One of Will Shortz's greatest innovations was the strategy of making Monday crosswords easy, then making them progressively harder throughout the week, with Saturday being quasi-impossible. [Sunday is often described as a "large Wednesday" in terms of difficulty.] And it's not like Will forgot his greatest innovation, but this was a trickier-than-usual Monday , which may (or may not) presage a challenging week ahead -- we'll let you know for sure on Saturday. In the meantime, we did enjoy this crossword -- a fine work by Patti Varol, and an opportunity to make our pitch for a Moby Dick / Peter Pan crossover -- look for it on AppleTV+ sometime in the near future (or possibly not 😀). Show note imagery: LITTLELULU ❤️❤️ We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, March 9, 2025 - Ah, the sweet aroma of newsprint and printer's ink 17:21

8 weeks17:21

17:21

The doctor -- Dr. Michael Schlossberg, to be precise -- was in fine form today, taking a sentimental stroll through the history books. Jean made short work of today's puzzle, deftly drawing upon her apparently infinitely large collection of pop-culture references. Mike, meanwhile, has the advantage of being able to search through his collection much faster: it does not take long to peruse a list consisting of BTS, LADYGAGA, and ... well, that's it really. Deets inside, so have a listen, and as usual, we welcome feedback! Show-note imagery: 100 PESETAs We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, May 8, 2025 - Joe Deeney, the Houdini of crossword constructors 🙄😁 6:50

8 weeks6:50

6:50

Joe Deeney has created a daunting looking Saturday grid -- there are oodles of 4-stack answers, and as an ADDEDBONUS, a pinwheel in the center with very few exits into the rest of the puzzle. The clues were definitely of Saturday calibre. As proof, consider 53D, Arabic man's name meaning "servant of God, ABDI; 30D, Scorching, HOTASHADES; 46A, Antonym of "iie" in Japanes, HAI; and the absolutely fabulous 50D, What's added to one to make zero?, NOTA. In short, a brilliant way to end our crossword solving week, well done, Joe! Show note imagery: From 16A, Bird whose name may be written with two diacritics called kahakos, NENE We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Friday, March 7, 2025 - MOVIEMAGIC, on the big screen, and in this tiny grid 😀 9:02

8 weeks9:02

9:02

Today's crossword was a great mental workout, replete with fine, fabulously deceptive clues -- just the kind that you hope for on a Friday. For example, we had 36A, A real no-name, ANON (of course!); 32A, Darkens in the light, say, TANS (how enlightening); and 49A, Buttery topping for paratha, GHEE (oh, gee 🙄). Those were just a few of the terrific clues in the grid; for more, do check out today's episode! Show note imagery: MOONSTONE, which, name notwithstanding, comes from Sri Lanka and Southern India. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, March 6, 2025 - Three (Slightly Belated) Cheers for ALYRAISMAN! 🤸‍♀️ 19:13

8 weeks19:13

19:13

At least one of our cohosts wasn't quite on the same wavelength as today's constructor , Kiran Pandey: the clues and answers just felt a wee bit ... out of sync. Still, professional that they were (in terms of determination and ethics, not income), they managed to persevere and get to the happy music. We have all the deets inside, so please have a listen, and, as always, please encourage your friends and relations to do the same. Show note imagery: DOSA, an Indian crepe with chutney. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 - Happy ... Halloween?? 13:48

8 weeks13:48

13:48

This was a spookily fun crossword by Rebecca Goldstein, who we are fairly certain won the ORCA Constructor of the Year Award sometime in the not too distant past -- 2024, we read on the internet -- for creating crosswords just like today's. So, to see what it takes to become Constructor of the Year, check out Rebecca's latest and, of course, this episode! Show note imagery: BABKA, fun to say, even more fun to eat! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 - Announcing the discovery of the world's first Chameleon Word™️ 17:52

8 weeks17:52

17:52

This was a fine Tuesday-level crossword , the fourth (on the 4th!) for Hanh Huynh. The theme shone, the rest of the fill was quite good, and the end result was, as you will hear in today's episode, highly satisfying. In addition to our usual banter (including the accidental discovery of the world's first chameleon word™️), we also have our Triplet Tuesday™️ segment. This is your chance to test your wits against Jean's, but just know that if Triplet Tuesday ever becomes an olympic sport, Jean will be medalling, for sure. Show note imagery: OutKast, who advised their fans to shake their POLAROIDPICTURES. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, March 3, 2025 - Vroom, vroom! 8:04

9 weeks8:04

8:04

If you didn't know anything about today's constructor, you'd likely conclude, as did we, that this was a fine Monday crossword . But then, if you discovered that the constructor was 13 years old, you might be tempted to reflect that a) PRODIGY does not often show up in the grid, and b) it certainly applies to Harrison Walden, the aforementioned 13-year-old. In other developments, we have a few pieces of electronic communication to relate, clearing up questions of SAFETY and MADEMEN that were raised in yesterday's episode, so check that out, and, as always, please encourage your crossword-solving friends to have a listen. Show note imagery: The EURO, the answer to the elegantly phrased 15A, French or Italian bread? 😀 We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, March 2, 2025 - Today's puzzle, brought to you in Crossword-Color™️🌈 🙄 22:44

9 weeks22:44

22:44

Even a casual glance at today's grid will reveal that something's up - seven vertical colored lines that, unsurprisingly, play a huge role in today's theme. The cost of that theme was complexity, but both cohosts agreed that it was worth the effort, as the payoff was huge. Deets inside. A reminder that the NYTimes Crossword makes a great present, and helps keep those little grey cells at peak efficiency. To subscribe, just wander over to NYTimes.com/subscriptions/games , where operators (or, more likely, as it is 2025, bots) are standing by. Show note imagery: DILI, East Timor We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, March 1, 2025 - Hello, March! 15:14

9 weeks15:14

15:14

March reputedly comes in like a lion, and today's crossword does the same -- parts of it are ferocious, and it seems to have lots of claws. OK, that last bit might not be true, but it certainly was a challenge, especially those clues in the northern areas of the crossword - above the equator, so to speak. But this was a Saturday, and so we expect challenging clues. It was also a Ryan Judge puzzle, and so we expect fabulous clues, and as even a quick listen to today's episode will reveal ... he does not disappoint. In other news, we've beaten the Oscar's to the punch by announcing our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner first. Check out today's crossword to find out exactly who that winner is, and why they deserve it. We'll publish their acceptance speech in due course 😀 Show note imagery: ATAHUALPA (or as Wikipedia would have it, the much easier to spell ATAHUALLPA 🙄) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Friday, February 28, 2025 - And now, a PAEAN to today's crossword 15:13

9 weeks15:13

15:13

Michael Lieberman is an accomplished crossword constructor, having written 27 for the NYTimes. Today's oeuvre had some great clues, including 63A, People may visit them just for kicks, SHOESTORES (ha!); 27D, Like Olympic tracks, LANED (duh!); and 10D, "Enjoy the spread!", LETSEAT (yum!). All in all a great crossword, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Show note imagery: Jewell Loyd, A WNBA star Crossword tips link: An insightful column on how to write clues; if you read each tip backwards , an insightful column on how to find answers for various categories of clues. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, February 27, 2025 - David Steinberg is baaaaaaack! 🎉 12:21

9 weeks12:21

12:21

It's been over a year since David Steinberg last graced the pages of the NYTimes crossword, and from our perspective it's been just over a year too long. David always crafts whip-smart puzzles, and today's is a perfect example . We have all the deets inside, so check it out! Also, as long as you're following our admonitions, we would be delighted if you could tell all your crossword-solving friends about us on social media. Show note imagery: For the record, this is a pair of JODHPURS currently for sale at Just Horse Riders -- it is not what's left of a person wearing a pair of JODHPURS after a horrific equestrian accident. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - We long for more crosswords by Dan Caprera 😁 14:50

9 weeks14:50

14:50

Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a wee bit crunchier than usual (to use a technical cruciverbial term meaning, loosely translated, "really, really hard" 😀). This was, no doubt, in service to a fantabulous theme that is slyly referred to in the episode title, and explored at length in today's podcast. Show note imagery: Need a WRAP? First, you're gonna need a soft tortilla ... We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, February 10, 2025 - The name's ANN, ... RAGGEDYANN 😁 13:10

12 weeks13:10

13:10

This was an admirable Monday crossword by Emily Rourke, thanks in no small part to an ingenious theme about ... which we will say no more here, as we loathe spoilers as much as you undoubtedly do, dear listeners. However, we do have much to say about the theme in the actual podcast, aka spoiler-central. Show note imagery: TOA Skylark, by Percy Bysshe Shelley (whose middle name is the bane of would-be spelling bee champions since ... forever) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, February 9, 2025 - A REally Super Sunday (and, nope, that was not a typo) 14:36

12 weeks14:36

14:36

Some sort of major sporting event was taking place today, but both cohosts (working independently, as is their wont) still found time to tackle this excellent crossword, and while each fumbled a few times along the way, they both eventually got to the "happy-music" zone, and performed the traditional "we finished the crossword" dance of celebration. Deets inside, and, we promise no more Super Bowl puns! Show note imagery: A CHURRO, a Mexican pastry We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, February 8, 2025 - A perfect Saturday crossword! 16:29

12 weeks16:29

16:29

Alina Abidi has crafted a delightful Saturday crossword - tough but fair, with more terrific clues than you can shake a stick at (your mileage may vary depending on your physical prowess and the dimensions of said stick 😀🙄). Among the clues that we were particularly enthralled with were 1A, What may precede a blessing?, ACHOO (nice!); 6A, School whose mascot is Big Al the elephant, informally, BAMA (awesome!!); and 5D, Snap, crackle or pop, ONOMATOPOEIA (even more fun to say than it is to spell 😀). In addition to our take on the crossword, we've also picked our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner, so check it out, and let us know if you a) agree, b) disagree, or c) are neutral on the subject. Show note imagery: An irresistibly cute teacup dog (awwww!). We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Friday, February 7, 2025 - Have a sip of TEXASTEA 🫖 14:51

12 weeks14:51

14:51

FORMULAIC might've been in the grid, but this Friday crossword was anything but, with 6 debut answers and a lot of decidedly non-conventional cluing throughout the puzzle. Besides those mentioned in the podcast, we enjoyed 16A, Material that goes on a foundation, POWDER, and the delicious 17A, What's holding up dessert?, CONE. In honor of Fun Fact Friday, we have a segment on a cartoon character who won an Academy Award twice, and was partially based on W.C. Fields. Find out who that is, and everything else you need to know about today's crossword, by hitting download and play (and, in between, feel free to hit subscribe/follow/add to library/ whatever , so you don't miss an episode!). Show note imagery: Go, MANU! (and if you ever decide to merge with FACTURING, you'll be unstoppable🙄) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, February 6, 2025 - This crossword's really making a STATEment 😀 15:49

12 weeks15:49

15:49

This was a fine Thursday crossword by Aidan Deshong and Jacob Reed, most notable for its novel theme. In most Thursday crosswords, something unexpected happens in the grid -- maybe letters are doubled up, displaced, hidden in black squares, etc. But today it is the clues that are camouflaged: the answer is straightforward once you've decoded said clue. We have all the deets inside, so have a listen, and please tell others about us on social media. Show note imagery: It's ALPACA v. LLAMA, who will win?? ... Probably the textile industry 😀 We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 - Today's forecast? 100% chance of a great (and wet 😀) crossword 16:30

12 weeks16:30

16:30

Jean found today's crossword to be a bit on the crunchy side for a Wednesday, but Mike was able to tap into a vein of esoterica that made his solve much smoother. Both agreed that the theme was unique and witty, and there were no duds in the surrounding fill. In short, this crossword is definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Show note imagery: All hail the WAFFLEFRY, yum! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 - GEORGIA -- on our mind and in the grid! 15:15

12 weeks15:15

15:15

This was a fun, fun crossword , due in large part to a theme that just radiates joy -- not enough that the EPA had to get involved, but enough that you'll definitely want to tackle the crossword, and then check out this podcast -- in that order! Show note imagery: Me and My Gal, a movie in which JAKE gets used a surprising number of times to denote the concept of something that's OK/fine/satisfactory. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, February 3, 2025 - KENDO? Can do! 😀 10:17

13 weeks10:17

10:17

This was a fine Monday crossword by Jack Scherban, and we're not just saying that because it referenced our phonetically favorite pirate, 60A, Captain Hook's right-hand man, SMEE, nor our favorite dessert, 37D, Black-and-white dessert that's sliced, OREOPIE. Rather, it was the theme, which brought back nostalgic memories (as well as a short-lived and, come to think of it, largely imaginary coughing spell 😉). Show note imagery: Thomas Stearns ELIOT, or, as he was known to his friends, T.S. ELIOT We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, February 2, 2025 - MRMACGOO, meet MRSDASH 😀 25:59

13 weeks25:59

25:59

This was an extraordinary Sunday crossword, thanks to one of those "oh, I can't believe they did that!" themes that makes crossword solving such an utter delight. This delight came to us courtesy of Derrick Niederman (edited, as always, by Will Shortz), and we will be savoring it for a loooong time to come. To find out exactly why, and possibly how long is loooong, download today's episode (and don't forget to hit subscribe, so you never miss any future installments!). Show note imagery: The Short-Tempered Clavier, billed as "Preludes and Fugues in All the Major and Minor Keys Except for the Really Hard Ones", edited by Professor Peter Schickele. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, February 1, 2025 - Yup, thar be DIAMONDS in that thar grid! 🙄 11:14

13 weeks11:14

11:14

This was a relatively straightforward Saturday: Jean got through it in record time, and posited that it was too straightforward. Mike knew better than to tempt fate, and so just nodded, noncommittally, on the diagonal -- neither yes, nor no. Besides the crossword, we are pleased to announce our latest JAMCOTWA -- Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award -- winner, and that would be ... easily discoverable, if you download today's episode, which we hope you will do posthaste! Show note imagery: Nirmal Purja, one of many NEPALIS who have scaled Mt. Everest We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, January 30, 2025 - A review of Edward Gibbon's little known work, The Rise and Fall of the NYTimes Thursday Crossword 😀 😀 14:05

13 weeks14:05

14:05

Today's crossword had another one of those patented "NYTimes Clever Themes" this one courtesy of Joe Marquez. Jean latched onto it straight off, Mike took an order of magnitude longer before the light, belatedly, dawned. Still, better latte than Nespresso, as they say at Starbucks 🙄 Show note imagery: A FATCAT We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Friday, January 31, 2025 - Hasta la vista, January 12:25

13 weeks12:25

12:25

This is the last NYTimes crossword of the month, and we're going out on a high note , thanks to Adrian Johnson, who has crafted such an awesome crossword that if we had to pick the best clue we'd be sorely tempted to respond with "all of them". To hear why, check out today's podcast, where we go over some of our favorites. We also have a spot of equally awesome listener mail, so check that out as well. Show note imagery: a SMARTPILL, and the 3rd most likely cause for screaming at a doctor's office 😉 We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - No BADEGGS in this crossword! 17:14

13 weeks17:14

17:14

This was a tricky Wednesday , thanks mainly to its clever theme (created by Sophia Maymudes, adroitly edited by Will Shortz). We have nothing but good things to say about it, although we are now on tenterhooks wondering what Thursday will bring. Just a reminder that our show notes always include a link to the wonderful website xwordinfo.com, where you can find a completed version of the day's crossword (i.e., a massive spoiler, but also massively useful), look up clues and answers, etc. If you're a cruciverbalist (and you're reading this, so you are!), you definitely owe it to yourself to check it out. Show note imagery: Some delicious EMPANADAS We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - ALL RISE! because, um, ALL RISE is in the grid 🙄😉 15:58

13 weeks15:58

15:58

This was an intriguing Tuesday crossword by Dan Margolis -- his 5th in the NYTimes. The theme was delicious (literally), and indeed the grid was rife with food for thought, including 3D, Cookie with its name on it, OREO; 52D, _______ ghanouj, BABA; and 58D, _______ slaw, COLE. Yum! Also, today being Tuesday, we have another Triplet Tuesday™ segment, and this time Mike's in the hotseat. To find out how he did, all you need to do is (gently) hit subscribe / download / play. Show note imagery: Chickens ... on a roost. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, January 27, 2025 - TAPAS and SWISSROLLs and BRIE? Great in a grid, not so great on a plate 😀 14:55

14 weeks14:55

14:55

This was a clever Monday crossword from a clever constructor, Alexander Liebeskind, who seems to excel at Mondays. Both cohosts found today's puzzle a bit crunchier (tougher) than usual, but the entertainment value was higher than usual, so it's a wash. Deets inside, including a fascinating attempt to decode SMH that was, TBH, waaaaay off. Show note imagery: a SWISSROLL -- the Little Debbie edition We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, February 24, 2025 - Rena Cohen is back, and better than ever! 12:07

9 weeks12:07

12:07

Rena Cohen, who we just saw in the NYTimes crossword last month is back again , and she remains at the top of her game. For proof -- OK, for strong anecdotal evidence -- check out today's podcast. Bonus points if you can guess, in advance, which Spanish museum Mike was thoroughly unable to pronounce. Show note imagery: Dost thine eyes deceive thee? No, tis true, tis a Gumby on a Frisbee 😀 We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 - We are DONEZO with today's crossword 😀 13:19

9 weeks13:19

13:19

This marks Greg Snitkin's second NYTimes crossword , almost one year, to the day, since his debut. The crossword had some fun entries, including 63A, Call it an early night?, DUSK ; 46A, "Who's interested?", ANYONE; and the memorable 30A, Call after last call?, DRUNKDIAL. In today's episode, Jean tackles the theme, both cohosts take a trek through the grid, and then Mike does his best to not make a fool of himself in today's Triplet Tuesday segment. Enjoy! Show note imagery: Yup, that dolphin's definitely AQUA We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, February 23, 2025 - Nothing SPURIOUS about today's crossword, all clues have been triple-checked! The podcast though ... 😉 17:10

10 weeks17:10

17:10

There were some very nice pairings in today's crossword: The oh-so-close 7D, Sound of a smooth-running engine, PURR, and 45D, Catherine ___, wife of Henry VIII, PARR 😀 The numerically related 89A, 11, literally, ONES, and 78D, 110, facetiously, ELEVENTY the homonymously-related 10D, Forget to finish writing a clue, mayb, ERR, and 53A, Word with lock or pocket, AIR and, as they say, much, much more So our hats are off to today's constructors -- Daniel Grinberg and Rafael Musa -- for crafting a PURRfect Sunday diversion. Show note imagery: ARABICA, the most popular coffee in the world, vs. Robusta, the runner up. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, February 22, 2025 - Happy Belated GALENTINESDAY 😀 15:15

10 weeks15:15

15:15

Apologies for not wishing people a happy GALENTINESDAY earlier, but as one of our cohosts had never heard of the word until doing today's superb crossword , and the other deigned to mention it, it is only now, 8 days late but writing fast, that we are in a position to wish you and yours a happy GALENTINESDAY. We might've been late vis-a-vis GALENTINESDAY, but we are right on time when it comes to announcing our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner, and so to find out who that person is (hint: their initials are EA), have a listen to today's podcast. Show note imagery: A (relatively small) GREENANACONDA We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Friday, February 20, 2025 - Today's crossword is SWAK! 17:02

10 weeks17:02

17:02

Today's episode explores Colin Adams' fifth NYTimes crossword , which is just as good as his other four, i.e., great! It was a tough but rewarding puzzle, requiring a lot of head scratching and memory palace exploration. In short, it was a perfect Friday! In honor of Friday, we're featuring our Fun Fact Friday™️ segment. We don't want to entirely spoil it, but let's just say this: if you think you know where the largest radioactive spill in US history took place ... you're probably wrong. Show note imagery: PALOMA Picasso, jewelry designer and daughter of some painter dude 😉 We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, February 20, 2025 - Oh, so close 4:59

10 weeks4:59

4:59

This was a debut crossword for Peter Gorman, and it was splendid. The theme was definitely unique -- we've seen none like it in recent memory -- and there were a number of excellent clues, including 61A, Hot spot, OVEN (cute!); 34A, Who said "A dress is a piece of ephemeral architecture", DIOR (profound!); and 57D, Locale depicted in Bosch's "The Garden of Earthly Delights", EDEN (we ❤️ Bosch!). Show note imagery: We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 - A FAB, crossword, way above PAR 13:58

10 weeks13:58

13:58

Joe Deeney has gotten a reputation, here at JAMDTNYTC HQ, for crafting fun and lively crosswords, and we are pleased to report that his streak remains intact ! While it has often been conjectured that the proof is in the pudding, here it's in the podcast, so we enjoin you to subscribe, download, and check out our "case for the Deeney, er, defense"🙄. Show note imagery: SKYMALL catalog, in its heyday Game link: Squeezy , a brand new game by Jeff Chen We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 - Erik Agard is back, huzzah! 14:17

10 weeks14:17

14:17

Erik Agard is a fabulous crossword constructor, so it is a delight to see his name in the marquee, and even more delightful to tackle this crossword . The puzzle is packed with fun and educational clues, and the theme is LOL. Check out today's podcast to see what we mean. In addition to our analysis of today's puzzle, in honor of Tuesday we're running our Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, in which Jean ... uh, uh, no spoilers! Check out today's episode for all the deets! Show note imagery: CHURCHROCK, site of the largest radioactive spill in US history! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, February 17, 2025 - Nothing MOROSE in this grid, except, er, MOROSE 😉 13:12

11 weeks13:12

13:12

Today's crossword seemed a little crunchier than usual to at least one of our cohosts (hint: their initial is 'M'), due to a confluence of problematic clues in the southwest corner of the grid. Fortunately, thanks to their belief that all good Danish film directors are called LARS, said cohost was able to complete the crossword successfully. Deets within, so have a listen, and, as always, please tell others about us on "the socials". Show note imagery: IDINA Menzel, after a particularly taxing ocean crossing We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, February 16, 2025 - CHOCULA, SKORs, and DEEPFRIEDOREOS, so ... not the healthiest crossword ever 😉 16:04

11 weeks16:04

16:04

This was a fun Sunday crossword by John Kugelman, even if 9 out of 10 cardiologists would recommend you eschew most of the foods in the grid. We've seen John's name in the marquee before, had a notion that good things were about to happen, and were not disappointed. Every themed answer made us smile if not lol, and the rest of the grid was filled with crisply-clued answers. Deets inside (as well as spoilers everywhere you look, so make sure you try the crossword first and then have a listen). Show note imagery: DEEPFRIEDOREOS, yum! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, February 15, 2025 - CERTS - no longer at your grocer's, but at least they're still in the grid 😋 19:35

11 weeks19:35

19:35

This was a challenging puzzle -- as Saturday crosswords are engineered to be the toughest of the week -- but it also presented some DIVINE clues, including 24D, Places for subs, BENCH (delightful!); 21D, They cover top stories, INSULATIONS (ok, that was unexpected!); 28A, Things put into decks, TAPES (what are those again? 😀); and many, many more. Most of those we cover in today's podcast, and we also have a rare twofer for the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so have a listen, and please spread the word through your favorite social media sites. Show note imagery: Pool balls, including the solid red THREE We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Friday, February 14, 2025 - ♫ Love is in the air ♬ ... and in the grid ❤️! 11:40

11 weeks11:40

11:40

While Friday crosswords are traditionally themeless, today's grid was rife with subtle, almost ninja-like Valentine's Day references. That's not to detract from the rest of the grid. We were fans of 51D, One-eyed "Futurama" character, LEELA (oh, please reboot that series!); 53D, One sporting a sporran, maybe, SCOT (okay, maybe we do subscribe to Popular Sporran, what about it? 😀 😀); 61A, "Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat" poet, ELIOT (sporran and Skimbleshanks in one grid? Heart be still!). tldr, this was a fabulous Friday crossword, and we lovingly bestow upon it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Show note imagery: A Snellen chart, a key component of most EYETESTS. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, February 13, 2025 - This crossword rocks -- must be all that heavy metal 😉 17:52

11 weeks17:52

17:52

This is Jim Burch's seventh NYTimes crossword. He seems to have taken up residence on the tougher side of the week, with all of his crosswords appearing on Thursday (2), Friday (4) or Saturday (1). This was on the easier side of the spectrum, but still a challenge: as always, YMMV depending on what's in your wheelhouse. Deets inside, as well as the resolution of the Great BELLLAP mystery! Show note imagery: Federal land in NEVADA (shown here in pink), takes up 84% of the state by area! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 - RAH, Sir Michael PALIN is in the grid! 18:19

11 weeks18:19

18:19

One of our favorite comedians -- Sir Michael PALIN -- is in today's grid , and if you have not heard of him, don't walk, but run to your nearest video source and check out Monty Python , for some absolutely transcendent humor. Then, come back and check out today's podcast for some wry remarks, none of which involve breadstuffs of any kind 🙄 Show. note imagery: The castle of ARGOS, in, appropriately, the city of ARGOS, Greece. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 - There were REAMS of good clues in today's crossword (spoiler alert: and no bad ones 😍)! 16:25

11 weeks16:25

16:25

Like all good Tuesday crosswords, today's had some clues that might make you pause, like 34A, Assignments, POSTS (ah, those sorts of assignments); 17A, Emoji that means "I'm crazy about you!", HEARTEYES (😍); and the fun to say 50A, Betting setting, RENO. Speaking of which, we'll bet that you'll enjoy today's Triplet Tuesday segment, so without further ado, we will write no further, and let you get on with listening! Show note imagery: The original MUSCLEHEAD! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, January 26, 2025 - Hop on the re-bus 🙄 30:57

14 weeks30:57

30:57

Today's crossword was a rarity -- its themed clues had pictures 🖼️ that had to be interpreted 🧐, as they were part of a rebus. By "rebus", we don't mean the "multiple letters scrunched in one square" variety, encountered frequently on Thursdays. Rather, we mean the more traditional definition: a puzzle in which pictures and typography are used to sound out an answer. This made for a challenging. but entertaining Sunday: as always, deets within! Show note imagery: Some TAICHI practitioners We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, January 25, 2025 - Begone, you ARMRESTHOG, you! 18:44

14 weeks18:44

18:44

Today's crossword , by Michael Lieberman, was a bear (not the growly kind, obviously, but one of the tougher-leaning Saturday NYTimes crosswords). It was an excellent mental workout, and the cluing really was deviously delicious, just the way we like it! For those of you just starting to solve NYTimes crosswords, just a reminder that the Saturday NYTimes puzzle is traditionally the most difficult crossword of the week, with difficulty ranging from "yikes" to "you have got to be kidding!". So if you had probs with this crossword, you were not alone! In addition to today's crossword, we also are pleased to announce the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA™ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and it is ... discussed in today's episode! Show note imagery: Boating on the River Epte, by MONET We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
January 24, 2025 - We'd like to AMEND our definition of EMEND 🧐 20:33

14 weeks20:33

20:33

This was a fine Friday crossword , and not just because the FLINTSTONES were in the grid ❤️. Jean tore through it, Mike spent an inordinate amount of time sorting out the difference between AMEND and EMEND. But both eventually got it solved, and had oodles of fun doing so, as you can tell from today's episode. In addition to the crossword, we are honoring the arrival of Friday with another Fun Fact Friday™ segment, this time, honoring the most famous "modern stone-age family" ever, aka the FLINTSTONES. Show note imagery: OSIRIS, who does indeed have green skin We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, January 23, 2025 - Another epic from Natan Last & the JASA Crossword Class 21:00

14 weeks21:00

21:00

It is always a treat to see Natan Last and the JASA Crossword Class in the marquee, because ... well, just take a look at today's crossword to see why: a theme guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and great cluing everywhere. For instance, 37D, Geologic formation from glacial melting, ICECAVE (OK, that's a thing); 28D, Canadian province where "Anne of Green Gables" is set: Abbr., PEI (one of our favorite provinces!); and a word that we long to work into casual conversation, 24D, Vulpine, SLY. Show note imagery: Scar, looking positively vulpine We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Egad, this grid's got EGOT 😀 13:22

14 weeks13:22

13:22

Today's crossword was looking sharp -- and not just because ARMANI was in the grid (but it helped). We liked the daunting open-endedness of 48A, "_____ intended!", NOPUN; appreciated the BROW knitting induced by 24A, Move slightly, BUDGE; and just the opportunity to say 7D, Italian anise-flavored liqueur, SAMBUCA. A great debut crossword by Landon Horton, in our estimation it deserves to peg the JAMCR meter with a full 5 squares. Finally, we've got listener mail! So, for those of you wondering how to pronounce Rummikub, the answer lies within! Show note imagery: TSAI Ing-wen, the former Taiwanese president. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - A crossword that's firing on all CYLINDERs 18:21

14 weeks18:21

18:21

This was a terrific Tuesday crossword by Dan Caprera, his 6th in the NYTimes. The clues were fun, fresh, and the theme was a wry one. Besides the clues covered in today's podcast, we'd like to give a shout out to 52A, ___ Jordan, a.k.a. the Green Lantern, HAL (we're just suckers for superheroes); 43A, Figure painted by Warhol, MAO (Will's definitely got a thing for this picture, this week); and 19D, Sit non-ergonomically, SLOUCH (oh, brilliant!). Show note imagery: A Rummikub TILE (and more -- the entire game, in fact) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, January 20, 2025 - When AI's on the blink, time to break out the ol' Strunk & White! 12:39

15 weeks12:39

12:39

Today's crossword was a debut for Katie Byl (pronounced "bill") and most definitely not a debut for Jeff Chen (pronounced "chen" 😀). Together they have crafted a perfect Monday puzzle, and only one of our cohosts found this to be slightly more daunting than usual for a Monday, for reasons entirely of his own making. Jean's favorite clue in today's crossword? 35D, Hair knots with a French name, CHIGNONS (a debut). Mike was partial (of course ) to 61A, "Biscuit" for cookie or "chips" for fries, BRITICISM. Cheerio! Show note imagery: Strunk & White, a fabulous STYLEGUIDE, still relevant and available . We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Sunday, January 19, 2025 - All rise, Strega NONA is in the grid! 24:50

15 weeks24:50

24:50

For those of you who like mathematics and puns, Emily Sharp and Kunal Nabar have got your number, with this fine debut (for Emily) and debut-follow-up (for Kunal) crossword. The grid had a lot of great clues, including 117A, Social workspaces for some remote workers, CAFES (cute!); 109A, Like some parking and poetry, METERED (an echo of last Thursday's puzzle!); and 61D, One of the "holy trinity" ingredients in Indian cuisine, GINGER (yum!). We approve, and that's why we've given this puzzle 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Show note imagery: Sleipnir, ODIN's horse (and of course, ODIN being ODIN, it has double the usual complement of legs) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, January 18, 2025 - Three stacks of three answers apiece, gasp! 16:47

15 weeks16:47

16:47

Today's crossword was remarkably daunting. The grid consisted of three stacks of three answers, each stack spanning the width of the crossword. Constructing this must've been a bear, but Scott McMahon pulled it off. [He also managed to work most of his last name into the grid, in 2D, Capital and second-largest city of Minorca, MAHON, a very nice touch.] Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a straightforward solve -- no verbal abysses here -- but just a real joy, and we eagerly await Scott McMahon's second NYTimes offering. Show note imagery: Minorca, just off the coast of Spain. If you're looking for its capital and second largest city, MAHON, you'll find it on the east coast. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Friday, January 17, 2025 - Look out, on the port side, it's the Jörmungandr!! 🦑 22:20

15 weeks22:20

22:20

This was Willa Angel Chen Miller's second Friday crossword , and like the first one, this was a beaut! Jean found it easy going, Mike ... found it ... and then found his footing (eventually). The clues were sharp (54A, Bit of a subway station wall, TILE), enlightening (39A, First capital of Alaska, SITKA); and amusing (42D, Quarter back?, EAGLE 😀). A nice bit of work, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. In other news, we have some listener mail and a fascinating fact for Fun Fact Friday -- hint: it involves a middle-of-the-road city in a middle of the country state. All that's just waiting for you to download, subscribe, and listen up, so have at it! Show note imagery: BEHR, the most trusted name in paints (um, according to Behr.com 😀) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, January 16, 2025 - Oh, the irony, ATOM, WHIT and TSP in a hugely well-done crossword 😀 20:18

15 weeks20:18

20:18

Rebecca Goldstein is a great crossword constructor. Adam Wagner is no slouch himself. Put them together and you get ... well, this crossword , a crafty puzzler with some delicious clung. We have all the deets inside, a few (possibly even useful 😀) tips for new listeners, and some awesome listener mail. Enjoy! Show note imagery: A slab of grenadilla, a black wood found in Africa, and why, when asked, "what, do you think OBOES grow on trees?", you could legitimately answer, kinda, sorta. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - It's Higgins, Sir! 19:57

15 weeks19:57

19:57

Today's crossword is by Parker Higgins, and it was a joy. We had a lot of fun -- some might argue too much, but not us! -- digging through the grid, as you'll discover when you check out today's episode. Show note imagery: A LUTE (left) and a LYRE (right) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Tuesday, January 14, 2025 - Today's crossword? WHATATREAT! 17:09

15 weeks17:09

17:09

This was a very entertaining Tuesday crossword by Lance Enfinger, with some thought-provoking clues such as 40A, News of an alien landing, probably, HOAX (probably??); 51A, Response in a game of Battleship, HIT (inspired clue for a ho-hum -- no offense, HIT-fans -- word); 57D, Hamm of soccer fame, MIA. Besides the crossword, we have a tantalizing Triplet Tuesday™ segment, so for all that and more, check out today's episode. Show note imagery: A SITSKI! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Monday, January 13, 2025 - Didst thou enjoyth said crossword? We certainly didith 😀 15:53

16 weeks15:53

15:53

We start off the work week with a fine debut crossword by Adam Levav -- congrats, Adam!! We particularly enjoyed this puzzle because the theme involved our favorite ENGLISH variant, MIDDLEENGLISH. Even though this was a Monday, there were a few debut answers -- 47A, Feel relief from anxiety, BREATHEEASY; 24A, High school or college seniors, usually, FOURTHYEARS; and 11D, Hangout events for two guy friends, BRODATES. We cover these, and much, much more, in today's episode. Show note imagery: The name's Kett, ETTA Kett We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Sunday, January 12, 2025 - Not puns are knot allowed ... or something like that 🙄 21:23

16 weeks21:23

21:23

Today's crossword was by Jeffrey Martinovic, a mechanical engineering student at Western University in London, Ontario (go JW! -- yes, that's the name of their mascot, no word on whether they were trying to economize on signage when they chose it). And if Jeffrey is able to do mechanical engineering half as well as he constructs crosswords, then he's probably got a great position waiting for him upon graduation, because this is one fabulous puzzle. We have proof, inside, so have a listen, and, as always, let us know what you think! Show note imagery: A PITCREW, working for only a few seconds at a time We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Saturday, January 11, 2025 - Ryan McCarty dials it up to 12!! 23:33

16 weeks23:33

23:33

Today's crossword was a Saturday crossword, and that means tough; it was also by Ryan McCarty, which means, tough bordering on impossible. But not unfair; the clues were deliciously difficult, but -- with practice, patience, a good memory, experience, and a little bit of luck -- doable. And it's for that reason that today's crossword is the winner of our JAMCOTWA!! (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Kudos, Ryan! Show note imagery: OCEANIA We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Friday, January 10, 2025 - Robert Logan hits out of the ballpark with crossword # 5! 18:47

16 weeks18:47

18:47

This was an excellent Friday crossword - not particularly difficult, both cohosts got through it rather expeditiously - but the clues were just fabulous. We've gone through most of them in today's episode, so check that out. In addition, we have a Fun Fact Friday segment on Sergio Leone, so, make our day* and tell others people about us on "the socials" (aka social media). Show note imagery: Harry Chiti, who the METS once traded for himself!! *a Clint Eastwood reference, in case you missed it We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Thursday, January 9, 2025 - A NATO-themed crossword? Neato!! 😀 😀 18:39

16 weeks18:39

18:39

This was a fun and challenging Thursday crossword by David P. Williams, his sixth for the NYTimes, deftly edited by the indomitable Will Shortz. The theme was very helpful, providing a distinct tactical advantage (which we discuss in today's episode). There were scads of thought-provoking clues throughout the puzzle, like 37A, Danger in a Wile E. Coyote cartoon, TNT; 36D, At the end of the day, ALLINALL; and 26D, Leader of Germany?, SOFTG 😀 (Hint for new solvers: clues that start with "leader of" or "head of" may be a sly reference to the first letter of the word to follow). Show note imagery: Yes, WELCHS does make grape soda We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Wednesday, January 8, 2024 - ARROYO, fun to say, fun to spell, essential to solving today's crossword! 19:55

16 weeks19:55

19:55

Today's crossword , by Laura Dershewitz, was her third for the NYTimes, and it was grand . Both cohosts found it a little crunchier (i.e., tougher) than usual, Mike more so than Jean, stymied as he too often is by his arch nemeses -- pop culture references and Spanish. Jean was mainly temporarily at a loss at 64A, Papal vestment, ORALE. Both eventually got the puzzle solved, Jean reporting a decent time, Mike reporting ... a very large number. tldr: we liked the crossword, a lot -- check out the deets in today's episode. Show note imagery: An ARROYO , a dry creak or gulch. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Tuesday, January 7, 2025 - OOHBABY this was an awesome crossword! 😀 19:36

16 weeks19:36

19:36

Dana Edwards has written two NYTimes crosswords, and both have been uniformly excellent. This one had an ingenious theme to it (not that his first was a slouch, but this one just had a little extra sparkle), and the clueing was particularly tricky (i.e., great!). There's simply no other way to describe 53D, Kind of place that's beside the point?, ONES (nice!); 54A, Random number generator, DIE (duh!); and 19A, Valley in which it's easy to get a cab, NAPA (brilliant!). It's also Tuesday, time for our Triplet Tuesday segment, and Jean gives a quick demo of why, when she's in the zone and in the grid, she is, in the words of Sia, unstoppable. Show note imagery: REO Speedwagon (the vehicle, not the band) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Monday, January 6, 2025 - Worried you'll forget what FOMO stands for? That's FOFFOMO 😀 😀 13:13

17 weeks13:13

13:13

Rena Cohen has concocted a fine Monday crossword for your enjoyment, one that checks all the boxes: Cute theme? (check!) Not too hard (check, check!) Entertaining? (check, check, check!) In short, we won't be checking any doubts at the door, this is definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Show note imagery: BUSAN, South Korea We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Sunday, January 5, 2025 - Deep philosophical question here, did Batman ever have a BATPUP? 🧐 17:58

17 weeks17:58

17:58

This was an excellent Sunday crossword by Kareem Ayas, the themed clues being particularly ingenious and amusing (deets inside). But Kareem didn't ease off the gas when constructing the rest of the puzzle, there were fabulous clues throughout the grid. Have a listen, and you'll see why we were so enthralled. Show note imagery: The 2023 DUCATI Panigale, a very fast (of course!) motorcycle We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, January 6, 2025 - A not-entirely-impossible Sam Ezersky Saturday spectacular!! 15:41

17 weeks15:41

15:41

The name Sam Ezersky strikes fear (or at least mild anxiety) in the hearts of NYTimes crossword solvers everywhere, as he is known for his devilishly difficulty clues. Today's crossword was definitely tough -- 52D, Cook's offering with chips?, IMAC 😀; and 58A, Creature whose name means "forest person", ORANGUTAN come to mind (as do most of the other clues, tbh) -- but the crosses had a little more "give" to them than one might expect. The end result was a challenging and highly entertaining crossword, which is why we are awarding it this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award)! Congrats, Sam! Show note imagery: CHLOEZHAO, the second woman to win an Oscar for best director We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Friday, January 3, 2025 - A Colin Adams' crossword? Yup, we're ALLIN 18:04

17 weeks18:04

18:04

This was Colin Adams' fourth NYTimes crossword in under a year, and, as we discuss in today's episode, he remains as proficient as he is prolific. Jean tore through this puzzle in no time flat, Mike tortuously clawed his way to the finish line, his usual Friday modus operandi. For our Fun Fact Friday segment, we take a quick look at a slow-talking comedian, so do have a listen, and then let us know what you think! Show note imagery: The Kelce boys, doing a JERSEYSWAP We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Thursday, January 2, 2025 - All hail the genius of dead pan 16:12

17 weeks16:12

16:12

In the pantheon of comedians, Steven Wright surely deserves a column or three, and in today's crossword Robert Charlton has chosen a great quote to illustrate the point. If you are unfamiliar with Steven Wright, stop whatever you're doing right now (unless it's listening to this podcast -- wait until you're finished) to head over to your favorite streaming source (or library: don't forget your local library!) and be prepared to be entertained. Speaking of entertaining, the entire crossword was just that, and educational as well. Who knew 62A, Flower whose name means "flame" in ancient Greek, PHLOX? (OK, Jean did). And who knew 2D, 12-time Olympic swimming medalist Ryan ___, LOCHTE? (Yes, again, Jean). But the point is, for at least one of these clues, Jean didn't know it and others might not have as well. Show note imagery: What we have been reliably informed is vegan Longganisa, a Filipino delicacy. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Wednesday, January 1, 2025 - Happy New Year!! 🎉🎉🎊 16:07

17 weeks16:07

16:07

We're welcoming in 2025 in grand style, with a Wednesday crossword by Seth Bisen-Hersh (his 3rd) and Jeff Chen (his 158th!). The theme ties in nicely with an ongoing holiday, and if your reaction to that phrase was "what holiday?", then check out today's episode, where all will be revealed. Looking for an achievable new year's resolution? Why not resolve to do more NYTimes Crosswords? Subscribing is easy, and the deets are right here . Show note imagery: a lovely WORKBAG from Dagne Dover We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Tuesday, December 31, 2024 - Our New Year's Eve Spectacular (fireworks, champagne, this episode's got it all!) 19:45

17 weeks19:45

19:45

We're wrapping up 2024 and putting a bow on it, the actual present being today's crossword , a fine bit of work by Michael Lieberman, his 25th for the NYTimes, as deftly edited by -- it gives us such joy to write this -- Will Shortz (see yesterday's episode for the deets on why). Beyond the crossword, we have a magnificent Triplet Tuesday segment, and some awesome listener mail, so check that all out, and, as usual, let us know what you think. Show note imagery: Mauna KEA, not to be confused with Mauna LOA (but it will be! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Monday, December 20, 2024 - Welcome back Will Shortz!! ❤️❤️❤️ 11:33

18 weeks11:33

11:33

Today's crossword is a cause for celebration. First, it was a great crossword (no surprise there -- check out the podcast for the deets), and second, it was edited by Will Shortz, the long time editor of the NYTimes crossword who had a stroke earlier this year. But demonstrating his indomitable spirit, Will has returned to the editor's chair, for which we are grateful. [Not that Joel Fagliano wasn't doing a fabulous job -- he was -- but it's just good to see Will's name back up on the marquee.] Show note imagery: UBE tiramisu, which looks deeeeeelish! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Sunday, December 29, 2024 - Happy Penultimate Day of the Year Eve! 16:29

18 weeks16:29

16:29

Today's crossword is the last Sunday of the year, and the finale is a fine one, thanks to Harry Zheng, author of today's puzzle -- edited ably and adeptly, as always, by Joel Fagliano. Deets inside, so have a listen, and don't forget to tell your friends about us on social media! Show note imagery: An Anteater, Armadillo and ANTELOPE, oh, my! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Saturday, December 28, 2024 - Reboot! 17:54

18 weeks17:54

17:54

We've been off almost a week, so in honor of our reboot we're starting the podcast with some musical fanfare to declare our return. And, for your edification, we are returning with an analysis of a fine NYTimes Saturday crossword -- a debut by Sam Berriman with an astonishing 10 debut answers. We also have some great listener mail, so have a listen, and, as always, let us (and others!) know what you think. Show note imagery: The Three Gorges Dam, in China, generating HYDROPOWER We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, December 22, 2024 - The Happy Holiday Edition! 15:08

19 weeks15:08

15:08

The NYTimes has given us a splendid holiday present, today's crossword -- a chewy, themeless Sunday that you can really sink your teeth into (er, metaphorically speaking, please !). We. have all the deets inside, plus, the moment you've all been waiting for, the big reveal of our latest Triplet Tuesday Contest winner. You know we're not going to spoil it here, so grab today's episode and have a listen. We're going to be taking a few days off, but we'll be back hard at it next Saturday. In the meantime, keep plugging away at those crosswords and have a very, very happy holiday! Show note imagery: MALAGA, birthplace of Picasso We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Saturday, December 21, 2024 - Get ready to swing, TITOPUENTE is in the house! 12:22

19 weeks12:22

12:22

In today's episode, Jean sails through the toughest crossword of the week , and Mike crashes into the mizenmast, and is still pulling out splinters. We have all the deets inside, so you are cordially invited to download, listen up, and enjoy! Show note imagery: TITOPUENTE, the King of Mambo We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Friday, December 20, 2024 - ESSO, the NYTimes Crossword's favorite gas station 😀 9:21

19 weeks9:21

9:21

As the week progresses, the NYTimes crosswords get tougher, and here on a Friday , things can get really sticky. Today's was about a 7-8 out of 10 on the stickiness scale, but the cluing was still entertaining. We had 15D, John, in Portuguese, JOAO (ok, now we know); 32A, The symbol of America's first transcontinental railroad, THEGOLDENSPIKE; and 46D, Member of the golden horde, TATAR. We also liked the joint appearance of 9D, Spanish 101 verb, SER, and 37D, French 101 verb, ETRE -- vive la différence! There are a scant 2 days left to get your entry in for our Triplet Tuesday Contest. Deets here , act now, operators are standing by! Show note imagery: DOLMA (48D, Dish whose name is Turkish for "stuffed") We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Thursday, December 19, 2024 - Brandon Koppy? We're definitely STANs 16:58

19 weeks16:58

16:58

This was a slick Thursday crossword by Brandon Koppy, with some significant Golidlox cluing - not too easy, not too hard, just right -- assuming that you've been doing the crosswords for a while. If you're just starting out, the clues might be better characterized as hard, impossible, and huh? Some of the lesser known clues (to us) include 23D, 13th-century poet who wrote the "Masnavi", RUMI; 6A, Comedian Ken of "The Masked Singer" (unknown to Mike: Jean had apparently written a small monograph on the subject, based on the amount of information she was able to rattle off); and 37D, Hangs out for a while, POSTSUP (ha!). A reminder, our Triplet Tuesday Contest is going until Sunday, so check out Tuesday's episode and then send us your scores -- one entry, per household, per day, unless you're really keen and want to send us more 😀. Show note imagery: RUMI, famed 13th century poet, author of the Masnavi. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Wednesday, December 18, 2024 - If you're a YUTZ, don't try this crossword 17:17

19 weeks17:17

17:17

The themed clues in today's crossword were so good that they might've out shone some other gems. Fortunately we always solve our crosswords while wearing shades, so we can report that these clues -- 64D, Sending help?, UPS; the delicious combo of 6D, "It's so c-c-c-old!", BRR and 7D, Refreshment served with a spoon, ICEE; and 4D, Fool, from the Yiddish, YUTZ -- were also worth the price of admission. A nice work, 5 squares for sure on the JAMCR scale. A reminder, yesterday we featured our Triplet Tuesday Contest. Check it out right here to enter, or risk losing out (😱) on a chance to amass some magnificent NE Wisconsin swag! Show note imagery: LAERTES, looking very concerned about something happening stage left We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - Our Triplet Tuesday Contest Spectacular!!! 20:01

19 weeks20:01

20:01

Yes, the moment you have all been waiting for has finally arrived, another Triplet Tuesday Contest! Of course, for those of you who are fans of Kathy Lowden, the constructor of today's crossword , if that was the moment you were waiting for, well, your ship has come in as well -- and the great thing is that we cover both in today's episode. Yes, it's a twofer! Tldr: We've got a great contest and we hope you enter it, deets inside. Kathy Lowden has written a very funny Tuesday crossword, and we hope you'll enjoy our take on it, deets for that also inside. Show note imagery: Putative author of the bon-mot GOLF, "a good walk spoiled", Mark Twain We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Monday, December 16, 2024 - Ah, the pause that refreshes! 13:54

20 weeks13:54

13:54

This was a fun, frothy Monday crossword by Ailee Yoshida, her second for the NYTimes. The theme was (as always) ingenious, and, being a Monday, the grid was populated with words that we mainly know. It did have two debut answers (19A, Tidbit in a nutritious pudding: CHIASEED; 23A, Department handling media inquiries: PRESSOFFICE) and one not seen since 1984, 43D, Lip-plumping injection, FILLER. For the record, in 1984 FILLER had no connection, whatsoever, with Lips. Show note imagery: A WRIT, writ large 😀 We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Magic is in the grid! 27:13

20 weeks27:13

27:13

This was a n extraordinary Sunday crossword by David Kwong, his 24th for the NYTimes. David is a magician, fitting since there is so much magic in today's grid ... and art! In fact there is a palette of artists (and if palette's not the unit in which artists are measured it ought to be) as well, all part of a very, very clever theme. Deets inside! A reminder that our next Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming up this Tuesday, and you might be our next winner. All you need to do to participate is listen to Tuesday's podcast and follow three simple steps: 1. Play the game, counting how many clues you need to get each answer 2. Add the numbers up that you got in step 1 3. Email that number to us If your number is the smallest we receive, you'll be our winner! Fame, fortune, and some lovely NE Wisconsin swag will be yours, all yours 😀 Show note imagery: Prades, the village, by Joan MIRO We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Saturday, December 14, 2024 - Welcome to BISMARCKND 23:42

20 weeks23:42

23:42

This was a remarkable NYTimes crossword , first because it was a debut Saturday crossword for Owen Bergstein (not too many cruciverbalists debut on a Saturday), and second, because Owen is a high school junior! Talk about starting young! The crossword itself is great, and we have all the deets inside, as well as our JAMCOTWA winner, some listener mail, and a reminder about our upcoming Triplet Tuesday Contest (this Tuesday, mark your calendars). Show note imagery: CEREBRO, a MARVELous invention 😀 We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Friday, December 13, 2024 - CAVA, champagne for the rest of us 😉 23:39

20 weeks23:39

23:39

Our cohosts had slightly different experiences solving today's crossword . .. Jean found it to be a tricky but straightforward Friday, Mike found solving it more akin to climbing the Hoover Dam one-handed: doable, but only with a lot of patience (and possibly a temporary repeal of the law of gravity). Deets inside, as well as a fine Fun Fact for Fun Fact Friday™️ (and the promise of a future bit of listener mail). Show note imagery: a photo by Dorothea LANGE (pronunciation TBD), documenter of the Great Depression. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Thursday, December 12, 2024 - Daniel Bodily's crossword hits the sweet spot 😀 19:56

20 weeks19:56

19:56

This was a fine Thursday crossword by Daniel Bodily, including a slick theme, smartly implemented. There were some great clues, including 42A, It makes Max profits, HBO 😀 ; 24D, Plant used in xeriscaping because of its tolerance to drought, AGAVE (we just love the word xeriscaping 😀); the delicious 57A, Low-key place for gnocchi, TRATTORIA (which is much more amusing if you know how to pronounce gnocchi !); and our favorite, 31D, Word after one fell, SWOOP (😀 😀). All in all an excellent mid-week crossword, pegging the meter at 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Show note imagery: A TRATTORIA, where they sell gnocchi We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 - A brilliant midweek crossword 18:01

20 weeks18:01

18:01

This was a fabulous Wednesday crossword , a collaboration between Kathy Bloomer and the prolific Jeff Chen, that includes a theme that is clever, complex, and some other word that starts with the letter c but isn't cozy ... er, we'll get back to you on that 😀 Beyond the aforementioned clever, complex and not cozy theme clues, we had some other fine gems in the grid, and to learn all about them, just download and check out today's podcast. Show note imagery: Some typical NE Wisconsinites? Nope, these are some characters -- we have been reliably informed -- who inhabit the realm of FORTNITE We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - The answer might be UGLI, but the clue is beautiful 😀 19:05

20 weeks19:05

19:05

This was a quintessential NYTimes crossword , featuring an arty theme with a twist, and a SWARM of supporting clues guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, including 51D, Give a take, OPINE; 6D, Likely aftermath of a toddler's playtime, MESS; and 50D, "No can do, lassie", NAE. Brilliant, the lot of them! Speaking of lot, we're going to be having another Triplet Tuesday contest next week, and there will be a lot of prizes just there for the taking (well, you have to win the contest first, a mere formality). Deets coming up, so stay tuned! Show note imagery: Open Book, by Paul KLEE We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Sunday, December 8, 2024 - John Kugelman is on a tear! 21:33

21 weeks21:33

21:33

The numbers are extraordinary, and speak for themselves: this is John Kugelman's 8th NYTimes crossword, his 7th Sunday oeuvre, and he's been cranking them out at the rate of approximately 1 per month. So, in honor of all that, we present the following clue for your consideration: 3D, Indefatigable (12 letters), JOHNKUGELMAN. The crossword itself was a blast, even though one of our cohosts got horribly natticked in a location in the grid that we will eschew mentioning here -- but rest assured, we've got covered in today's episode. Enjoy! Show note imagery: Ryan LOCHTE, a swimmer with 12 olympic medals (well, ok, not to be pedantic, but it's actually 6: he won 12, but has since auctioned off 6 of them). We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

1
Monday, December 9, 2024 - NASA's just landed ... in the NYTimes Crossword! 🌛 13:20

21 weeks13:20

13:20

Another Monday, another debut crossword constructor! This was from Elliot Caroll, and both cohosts found her work to be a bit crunchier than usual for a Monday, as evidenced by their longer-than-average solve times and higher HSPMs (Head Scratches Per Minute) than usual. We aren't complaining, though, we wouldn't think of ONBLASTing this fine work. Show note imagery: A startlingly red ALABAMASLAMMER. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!…

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